The Claus Effect

It’s the 1990s. The Cold War is over, the Soviet Union is down for the count—and the Free World is getting ready for its first nuclear-free Christmas in decades. Only one thing in the world can ruin it.

Santa Claus.

Who can forget the horrifying events of The Toy Mill (Nickle & Schroeder’s 1993 Aurora-Award-winning story), in which a malevolent, post-industrial-revolution Santa Claus granted Emily, a little girl, a Christmas wish—and her desire to be a Christmas Elf nearly destroyed the world? It’s eight years later, and Christmas should be a joyful time—shouldn’t it? Not with Santa on the loose! Events propel the now-teenaged Emily and West Point Cadet Neil Nyman on a breakneck journey through suburban shopping malls, Ontario cottage country, and the frigid northern wastes of the former Soviet Union—battling displaced Cossacks, blue-blooded cottagers and homicidal, downsized elves along the way. Finally, they must face down the terrifying truth: about Christmas, the New World Order—and The Claus Effect.

“The stories [in Knife Fight and Other Struggles] are sui generis in presentation, veering from the discombobulating nightmare that is “Basements” to the squid-laden eco-satire “Wylde’s Kingdom” to the sci-fi love of “Loves Means Forever.” When it comes to this book, only two things are certain; the stories never travel where you expect, and David Nickle is a monumental talent.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Believe the hype: David Nickle is very good.”—The Globe and Mail

“David Nickle is my favorite kind of writer. His stories are dark, wildly imaginative, and deeply compassionate—even when they’re laced with righteous anger. He’s at the top of his game in this new book of short stories, and that’s about as good as it gets.”—Nathan Ballingrud, author of North American Lake Monsters

“David Nickle is Canada’s answer to Stephen King. His writing charms even as it slices like a blade between the ribs: sharp, subtle, and never less than devastating.”—Helen Marshall, author of Hair Side, Flesh Side and Gifts for the One Who Comes After

“Rasputin’s Bastards is a testament to the fact Nickle can write anything.”—The Winnipeg Review

“Eutopia is the kind of book I’d recommend to literary snobs who badmouth the horror genre while completely ignoring the multitudes of splendid books on the shelves. Nickle comes from a different cut of cloth than a lot of current horror authors. He’s created a unique world that’s a far cry from any of the current trends in horror fiction. In fact, his style seems generations removed from all the apocalyptic zombie and vampire novels on the market. Thankfully, he understands that the most important ingredients are strong characters, originality, and a compelling story. That his novel is also dark, frightening, and beautifully written is just icing on the cake.”—Chris Hallock, All Things Horror

“Few writers do psychosexual horror as well as Toronto’s David Nickle, and with The ’Geisters he’s back with another tale of voluptuous terror and the supernatural.”—The Toronto Star